In this monthly column, you’ll find information about upcoming math education-related workshops, conferences, and other events. If travel is not an option at this time or if you prefer learning from the comfort of your own home, see the Online workshops and Continuous learning online sections below. Some events fill up fast, so don’t delay signing up! For more information about a particular event or to register, follow the link provided below the description.

If know about an event that should be on our list, please leave a comment below or contact us at ilona@smts.ca.

Within Saskatchewan

Our own annual conference! The Saskatchewan Understands Math (SUM) conference is for math educators teaching in K-12 who are interested in curriculum, incorporating technology, number sense, and problem solving. Join us for two days packed with learning opportunities, featuring keynote speakers Max Ray-Riek of the Math Forum at NCTM and Grace Kelemanik of the Boston Teacher Residency Program. Registration includes lunch on Friday and a two-year SMTS membership. Click here for more information and to register.

Interested in presenting? The planning committee is seeking 60-minute presentations on topics related to the teaching and learning of mathematics. Presenters will be provided with one free conference registration per session. Submit your proposal on our website by September 16, 2016.

Workshops

Structures for Differentiating Middle Years MathematicsSeptember 26th, Regina, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

We know that assessing where students are at in mathematics is essential, but what do we do when we know what they don’t know? What do we do when they DO know? Student understanding does not change unless there is an instructional response to an assessment. This workshop will introduce an Assess-Respond- Instruct Cycle in mathematics, as well as responsive stations as a classroom structure to meet individual student needs, without having to create a completely individualized mathematics program in your classroom.

Curricula often have common themes or have concepts that can work in unison. Rather than teaching subjects in isolation, framed by a bell schedule, cross-curricular instruction immerses students in a theme or topic. This workshop will look at effective and authentic cross-curricular teaching and how you can do it in your classroom.

Number Talks and Beyond: Building Math Communities Through Classroom ConversationNovember 16th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Classroom discussion is a powerful tool for supporting student communication, sense-making and mathematical understanding. Curating productive math talk communities requires teachers to plan for and recognize opportunities in the live action of teaching. Come experience a variety of classroom numeracy routines including number talks, counting circles, quick images and more. Take math conversations to the next level by strengthening your skills as a facilitator of classroom discourse and student thinking.

Number Talks and Beyond: Building Math Communities Through Classroom ConversationJanuary 17th, Regina, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Classroom discussion is a powerful tool for supporting student communication, sense-making and mathematical understanding. Curating productive math talk communities requires teachers to plan for and recognize opportunities in the live action of teaching. Come experience a variety of classroom numeracy routines including number talks, counting circles, quick images and more. Take math conversations to the next level by strengthening your skills as a facilitator of classroom discourse and student thinking.

Technology Integration for Differentiation in MathematicsJanuary 19th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Are you interested in using technology to help differentiate your mathematics classroom? Workshop participants will be introduced to various blended learning structures, then focus on the station rotation and flipped classroom models. Whether you have one device or a classroom of devices, these two classroom structures are beneficial to increasing student engagement and to providing opportunity for teachers to have individual and small group instruction. The idea of using technology to create differentiated opportunities through adaptive instructional websites and math and presentation-related apps will be explored and connected to curricular outcomes, student learning progressions and assessment.

Technology Integration for Differentiation in MathematicsJanuary 19th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Are you interested in using technology to help differentiate your mathematics classroom? Workshop participants will be introduced to various blended learning structures, then focus on the station rotation and flipped classroom models. Whether you have one device or a classroom of devices, these two classroom structures are beneficial to increasing student engagement and to providing opportunity for teachers to have individual and small group instruction. The idea of using technology to create differentiated opportunities through adaptive instructional websites and math and presentation-related apps will be explored and connected to curricular outcomes, student learning progressions and assessment.

Early Learning With Block Play – Numeracy, Science, Literacy and So Much More!January 25th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

This is a one-day workshop for early learning educators from prekindergarten, kindergarten and Grade 1 to join together, discover and deepen their understandings around the many foundational skills that children develop during block play. Through concrete, hands-on activities, participants will experience and examine the many connections between block play and curricular outcomes, and the current research on the topic. Participants will have opportunity for reflection on their current practice, planning for block play and for creating a network of support.

Extending Early Learning Block Play into Project-Based InquiryJanuary 27th, Yorkton, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

This one-day workshop for early learning educators from prekindergarten, kindergarten and Grade 1 will deepen understanding around the foundational skills that children develop during block play and extend that understanding into project-based learning in early years. Through concrete, hands-on activities participants will experience and examine the many connections between block play, curricular outcomes and project-based inquiry in early years.

Using Tasks in High School MathematicsFebruary 8th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Using tasks in a high school mathematics classroom can provide rich opportunities for differentiated learning and authentic assessment. How do we choose tasks that meet both curricular outcomes and student needs? Tasks allow students to enter mathematics where they are at and extend their learning. In this workshop we will look at a variety of resources for finding good high school tasks. We will also reflect and discuss what planning and teaching moves can assist in maximizing student learning through mathematics tasks.

Technology in Math Foundations and Pre-CalculusFebruary 9th, Saskatoon, SK
$110 (early bird), $150 (standard)Presented by the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit

Technology is a tool that allows students to understand senior mathematics in a deeper way. This workshop is designed to have math foundations and pre-calculus teachers experience a variety of technology tools that allow students to represent and visualize mathematics concepts. Tools highlighted are useful for students to explore, learn, communicate, collaborate and practice, in order to enhance their understanding of mathematics in secondary mathematics.

Beyond Saskatchewan

The theme of this year’s BCAMT Fall Conference is “Math is Social,” chosen because there has been increasing attention paid to the social nature of learning (and teaching) in recent years, and a move away from teacher-centered and individual learning. This year’s keynote speakers are Fawn Nguyen (UC-Santa Barbara Mathematics Project leadership team) and Richard Hosino (Quest University Canada).

The Northwest Mathematics Conference is a collaborative conference held annually, alternating between Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. The target audience of preK-16 math educators includes pre-service, active, and retired elementary, middle, and high school teachers, community college and university instructors, math coaches, staff development specialists, and special needs and ELL math teachers.

Approximately 1,000 participants will gather in Yakima for this year’s two-day conference, which is centered around the theme “What is Next in Mathematics? WIN with Math.” This year’s keynote speaker is Michael Stevens (Vsauce1); featured speakers are Steve Leinwald, Ruth Parker, and Sandy Atkins. Five strands will be highlighted across the event: Early Numeracy – Setting the Foundation for the Future; the CCSS Standards for Mathematical Practice – Engaging Students in Learning; Post-Secondary Education – Preparing for Tomorrow; STEAM – Driving Innovation in Learning, and Assessment – Deepening Understanding.

NCTM Regional Conferences & Expositions 2016: Great Math at Your DoorstepOctober 26-28, Phoenix, AZ
October 31 – November 2, Philadelphia, PA
Presented by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Sharpen your skills, gain new techniques, and achieve your professional goals when you make your plans for this professional development opportunity today. Five focus strands and numerous featured speakers allow you to learn the most effective teaching practices within the topics most essential to your teaching. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, math coach, administrator, math teacher educator, teacher-in-training, or math specialist, there’s something for you at the NCTM Regional Conferences & Expositions.

Note: Did you know that the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers’ Society is an NCTM Affiliate? When registering for an NCTM membership, be sure to support the SMTS by noting your affiliation during registration.

Innov8 ConferenceNovember 16-18, St. Louis, MO
Presented by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Join your peers at the inaugural Innov8 conference, November 16-18, in St. Louis, Missouri! This innovative and team-based professional development is centered around acquiring the necessary skills to provide high-quality mathematics education for learners of all abilities. Innov8 provides opportunities for attendees to receive hands-on experience implementing research-based mathematics education practices; connect with like-minded teachers facing similar problems of practice; collaborate to determine effective solutions to advance student learning; and return to the classroom, school, or district with an action plan and commitment to implement refreshed tools and techniques.

Note: Did you know that the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers’ Society is an NCTM Affiliate? When registering for an NCTM membership, be sure to support the SMTS by noting your affiliation during registration.

Continuous learning online

Education Week Math WebinarsPresented by Education Week

Once a month, Education Weekly has a webinar focusing on math. They also host their previous webinars on this site. Previous webinars include Formative Assessment, Dynamic vs. Static Assessment, Productive Struggling and Differentiation.